First-Class U.S. Postage Paid , NY Permit No. 4119

Vol. 38, No. 2 www.nyc.gov/nycha FEBRUARY 2008 RESIDENTS CAN NOW PAY Call the RENT ONLINE WITH ePAYMENT Centralized THE HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) ISPLEASED Call Center TO ANNOUNCE A NEW RENT PAYMENT OPTION THAT ENABLES Anytime NYCHA RESIDENTS TO PAY RENT ONLINE. Online ePayment allows residents to electronically For Repairs transfer funds from their checking or savings accounts to NYCHA. Paying rent through The the ePayment system is safe, convenient and saves Centralized time. All information remains Call Center, confidential and is protected ONE NUMBER Residents of all five boroughs can reach the by all access and Centralized Call Center (CCC) at (718)707-7771 to request or CCC, is confidentiality provisions of maintenance repairs or report emergencies. Here, a Customer Federal, State and City Service Representative - in -training takes a call. open 24 of New York laws. There is a $1.00 processing fee for hours a day, each transaction. Centralized Call Center Now seven days a Live In All Five Boroughs! TIME FRAMES week. Call ePayments made before 6:00 PM EST will be credited to the DID YOU KNOW THAT THE NEW The CCC is the first step in a volume is resident’s rent account the same day. Payments made after 6:00 YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY larger customer service initiative PM will be credited the next business day. Payments made on (NYCHA) RECEIVES OVER TWO that NYCHA is currently heaviest on weekends and Federal holidays, when banks are closed, can be MILLIONCALLSREGARDING undertaking which will further credited the next business day. MAINTENANCE ISSUES A YEAR? To streamline processes throughout Mondays and manage those calls effectively and the agency, with the goal of the day after HOW TO ACCESS ePAYMENT efficiently, NYCHA created the resolving customer inquiries on Residents can log on to NYCHA’s Website at nyc.gov/nycha. Click Centralized Call Center, or CCC, the first call through instant a holiday. To on the “Online Rent Payment” logo (like the one above) to go first implemented in Staten Island access to documents, work directly to the ePayment system to pay rent. The ePayment in 2005. The CCC allows residents tickets, schedules and more. reduce your system is easy to use. The Website is interactive and will guide to call a single telephone number: call waiting you through the necessary steps. (718)707-7771 to schedule all Call the CCC Anytime... maintenance repairs. NYCHA’s Call the CCC any time a time, the best WHAT YOU WILL NEED Customer Service Representatives condition requires a repair. Call Residents will need their nine digit NYCHA Tenant ID number and are available to answer the calls 24 for routine repairs, to schedule time to call is their nine digit account number to complete the ePayment. hours a day, seven days a week. apartment inspection follow-up usually These numbers are printed on the “Remittance Slip” or “Bank Following Staten Island, appointments, skilled trades work Acceptance Slip.” Residents will also need their nine digit bank Queens came on board in 2005, such as plastering, major plumbing mid-morning routing number, which is located on the bottom left side of your Manhattan in 2006, in or wiring, or replacement of check and your checking or savings account number. Residents 2007 and as of November of last kitchen cabinets. You should also or afternoons who do not know their bank routing number should visit their year, the final borough, the call the CCC for building repairs after 4 PM. bank’s Website or call the bank for assistance. Bronx, joined the CCC network. like elevator outages. Emergencies will be addressed QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NYCHA ePAYMENT SYSTEM CAN Scheduled Appointments immediately; all other apartment BE DIRECTED TO (212)306-6776 Not only do CCC Customer repairs will be scheduled at your Residents can also access NYCHA’s Website at nyc.gov/nycha Service Representatives schedule convenience. Don’t wait—Call for frequently asked questions and answers about the appointments for repairs at the the CCC at (718)707-7771, 24 ePayment system. residents’ convenience, they also hours a day, seven days a week. call residents to confirm their OTHER RENT PAYING OPTIONS FOR NYCHA RESIDENTS availability the day before the Reduce Your The other rent paying options for NYCHA residents continue to appointment, resulting in increased Call Waiting Time be available. These include: productivity and customer Call volume is heaviest on Mailing the rent to the Lockbox; paying in person at any satisfaction. In addition, Customer Mondays and the day after a authorized cash payment location; or paying in person at the Service Representatives follow up holiday. The best time to call Carver Bank branch at Pathmark located at 300 West 145th Street to obtain feedback after the work is usually mid-morning, or in Manhattan. Residents can also pay via the Automatic Payroll is completed on approximately afternoons after 4 PM. Rent Deduction Program, if they are employees of a New York 25% of the appointments. City Agency who receive a bi-weekly or semimonthly paycheck.

PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 7 THE MUSIC NEVER STOPS HARLEM RIVER HOUSES AND NEW AFTER-SCHOOL FOR CARRIE JONES BLACK HISTORY MONTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 2 FEBRUARY 2008

MAYOR’S MESSAGE THE FACES OF NYCHA 5000th Student Graduates from The Music Never Stops for Ms. Carrie Jones “Learning To Work” Program By Heidi Morales

LAST MONTH I JOINED SCHOOLS SHEHASABIGSMILE; ADEEP CHANCELLOR JOEL I. KLEIN TO CAVERNOUS LAUGH. She jokes ANNOUNCE THAT THE 5,000TH around and has a natural STUDENT FROM THE CITY’S flow to her body when she INNOVATIVE CAREER DEVELOPMENT laughs—a back and forth, PROGRAM, LEARNING TO WORK, a wave - like sway that obviously WOULD BE RECEIVING HIS OR HER gets her lots of attention. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. Learning She easily reminds you of To Work, launched in September the typical “life of the party— 2005, helps students who are sweet, joyful, eager to please, academically behind by at least genuinely happy; a natural two years graduate from high born entertainer. school while receiving in-depth By listening to her stories job-readiness training, including you can conclude that Carrie paid internships. Jones serves as a road manager, When students fall two or more years behind in school, we as a City producer, singing coach and have two choices — throw up our hands and consign our kids to a confidante to the 80-member lifetime of doors that are closed to opportunity, or find ways to help New York City Housing Authority Carrie Jones directing the Senior Chorus, Voices Across the City, at them across the line to graduation. We’ve chosen the more challenging Senior Chorus. The Chorus is NYCHA’s sixth Annual Holiday Concert held at the John Jay College of route — finding a different way — and we have found that given an also known as Voices Across Criminal Justice in Manhattan on December 13th. opportunity to combine academics and opportunities to gain workforce the City and Ms. Jones, experience, students respond positively. a Community Coordinator Learning To Work has led to rewarding careers, and that is good for NYCHA’s Department of news for all New Yorkers. Learning To Work makes school more Community Operations has been relevant for struggling students by supplementing academic instruction its musical director for over five with paid internships and career counseling. Today, Learning To years. Ms. Jones, a native of Work is recognized as a national model for helping at-risk students Brooklyn, New York, has get back on track. Its success is a testament to the hard work and also been a resident of commitment of teachers, administrators, community partners, and NYCHA’s Atlantic Terminal for especially the students. over 20 years. Outcomes for over-age and under-credited students — those who “I love the seniors,” are more than two years behind academically — are much more she said. Under Ms. Jones’ positive for students who participate in Learning To Work programs direction, the seniors are trained than for similar students who remain in traditional high schools. like real artists. They are taught Only 19 percent of over-age, under-credited students earn diplomas harmony, vocal techniques, in traditional high schools, while the graduation rate is 56 percent microphone techniques, breathing for comparable students in transfer schools — small, academically techniques and musical scales. rigorous, diploma-granting high schools designed to re-engage Ms. Jones said this program students who have dropped out or who have fallen behind and is like a lifeline for many of earned fewer credits than expected for their age. The graduation rate the seniors. “It gives them in Young Adult Borough Centers with Learning To Work programs something to do. It’s very is 44 percent. therapeutic for them to have the The program also outperforms the school system as a whole in chorus. A lot of the seniors sit re-engaging and graduating male students. The vast majority of home with no family and Learning To Work graduates are black and Hispanic, with black males nobody to talk to, no motivation representing 19.9 percent and Hispanic males representing 22.4 to get up and go. I love it The Housing Authority 74 percent of its graduates. and they thank me all the time. years of Public Housing Participants enjoy a broad range of paid internships in the public, They say, ‘Thank you Carrie Journal in New York City private, and non-profit sectors, with placements tailored to match their for putting this chorus together. interests and career goals. Students express high levels of satisfaction Thank you for giving us with the program, with over 90 percent of students reporting that their something to do, somewhere ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 internships would help them obtain jobs after graduation. Additionally, to go, something to look Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority three times as many students reported that the overall Learning To forward to.’” Department of Communications Work program supported key career development skills, such as Through the years, Ms. 250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10007 identifying career goals, constructing resumes and applying for jobs — Jones has received several Tel (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 nyc.gov/nycha compared with programs they previously attended. acknowledgements for her Expansion of Learning To Work programs has been a central artistic contributions but mainly Michael R. Bloomberg...... Mayor priority of this Administration. Since September 2005, the DOE has for her volunteer work with Tino Hernandez...... Chairman opened or enhanced 15 transfer schools, 10 GED programs, and 20 seniors for over a decade. Earl Andrews, Jr...... Vice-Chairman Young Adult Borough Centers with Learning To Work components. Why does she do it? She Margarita López ...... Board Member In 2007, 9,809 students participated in Learning To Work programs, said, “Because they seem to be Vilma Huertas...... Secretary Douglas Apple...... General Manager compared with 6,351 during the previous year. As of November the forgotten ones. I always Sheila Greene...... Director, Department of Communications 2007, nearly 8,000 students were already participating in the look at them and say, ‘If God Eileen Elliott ...... Editor programs Citywide, with students continuing to enroll throughout allows us to live that long that is Heidi Morales...... Editor, Spanish Edition the academic year. The Department of Education has also expanded exactly what we’re going to Tischelle George ...... Online News Editor program services to students, with internship placements increasing be — seniors; and programs we Allan Leicht ...... Staff Writer Deborah Williams ...... Staff Writer by 115 percent during the program’s second year of operation and put into effect now will also Peter Mikoleski, Kevin Devoe...... Photography continued growth expected in 2008. benefit us in the future.’” Learning To Work helps those who have somehow lost their way to The Artist Formerly If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal, please get back on track to fulfill the promise of a brighter future. Call 311 or Known As… call our marketing representatives in Marketing and Revenue Operations at (212) 306-6616. The inclusion of any advertisement in this Journal check out the City’s Website at www.nyc.gov for more information. Ms. Jones has been singing does not constitute any endorsement by the Housing Authority of the since she was 12 years old and advertiser or its products or services or any other representation by the Michael R. Bloomberg like many great R&B singers got Housing Authority with respect to such products or services. (Continued on page 3) THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2008 3

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Music Never Stops DEBORAH’S DIARY By Deborah Williams (Continued from page 2) Christmas Carols Bring Joy— They wanted to spread Taking A Look At Harlem River her start in the church choir. joy and peace throughout Cooper Park in Brooklyn, Houses During Black History Month She taught herself how to read and what better way to do it than through music. Five years later Ms. caroling? Members of the Cooper Park IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY Jones, at the age of 17, was Community Center’s Advisory Committee MONTH, THE NEW YORK CITY featured as the lead vocalist in came up with the idea as a way to show the HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) an album recorded by her choir. senior and disabled residents that they are “loved PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST PUBLIC That marked the beginning of and appreciated,” said Chairperson Karen Leader. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS her professional singing career. Cooper Park Community Center’s Community BUILT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS — “Eventually, I started doing Associate Bernadine Thomas and Community Assistant Derrick Jack HARLEM RIVER HOUSES. HARLEM the R&B circuit,” Ms. Jones worked diligently teaching and preparing the 20 youth for their very RIVER CELEBRATED ITS 70TH said. “I’ve always been a first caroling experience. On December 21, 2007, acting as head ANNIVERSARY LATE LAST YEAR. take-control, leadership type of carolers, Karen Leader and Advisory Committee member Charisse Located at Harlem River Drive person. I started setting up my Owens, along with Bernadine Thomas, Derrick Jack and night and 151st Street in Manhattan, own performances. I would go program members Totteanna Conley, Latifah and Sarah Kirkland and Harlem River Houses sits on 7.39 to the clubs and talk to the Kevin Martin, joined the young carolers for a night of caroling out in acres, blending landmark buildings owners, get the gig, call the development. The group caroled from apartment to apartment not with park-like open spaces. The musicians, set up rehearsals. I only leaving behind the resonance of their wonderful voices but a development consists of seven did that for about 30 years. But Christmas fruit basket made by the Advisory Committee members buildings of four and five stories with 574 apartments providing the best experience for me was for each household. ’Twas the season for giving and this year Cooper homes to 1,013 residents. going to Japan.” Park Houses residents did what they plan on doing next year as well — The construction of Harlem River Houses began in 1936 and was Ms. Jones, believe it or not, spread a little joy with their singing. I think this is a kind and completed on October 1, 1937. The beneficiary of President Franklin is an “international recording wonderful gesture and applaud everyone involved. Congratulations D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” social program, Harlem River Houses artist.” She recorded an album for spreading some of your Christmas cheer. Well done! marked the first time federal funds ($4.7 million) were used for in 1995—a fusion between public housing in New York City. That funding, which came from the Pop, R&B and Gospel called, “I newly created Public Works Administration, also financed Hear the Call,” which was Williamsburg Houses in Brooklyn. released in Japan. Ms. Jones Harlem River Houses was built for African-Americans at a time traveled to this Asian country when public housing was segregated. The design team for the for the release of her development included John Louis Wilson, Jr., the first African- first solo album and did American to graduate from Columbia University’s Graduate School everything from attending of Architecture. The new development included a nursery school, release parties, to interviews, playground, and a health care facility. to signing autographs. In 1965, the addition of one 15-story building known as Ms. Jones has shared the Harlem River Houses II was built, and ten years later the New York stage with musical greats like Landmarks Preservation Foundation declared Harlem River Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin and Houses an architectural landmark. the Blue Notes, Jocelyn Brown Harlem River Houses is adorned with public sculpture, offers and Cece Winans. views of Yankee Stadium and the Bronx across the river and is Ms. Jones’ commercial singing walking distance from Jackie Robinson Park and the Esplanade career was cut short as it is for Success Begins with RES — Sartell Jackson, once unemployed and Gardens. The development has an active Resident Association and many artists, because, “the without any prospects, is now a Program Assistant at CUNY’s City Tenant Patrol. business side [of her career] College of New York, and it all began when he signed up for the In a proclamation presented to the development’s Manager and wasn’t properly taken care of.” Technology Gateway Center (TGC) program at the Highbridge Resident Association President by NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl She Hears ‘The Call’ Gardens Community Center in the Bronx, where he lives. Sartell said Andrews, Jr., on the occasion of its anniversary, Mayor Michael R. Ms. Jones said her vision for he’d hoped TGC would change his life but he had no idea the change Bloomberg states that “the 70th Anniversary of the Harlem River the Chorus is massive. “I see would be so profound. After ten weeks of training in Microsoft Houses is a testament to the quality of NYCHA’s developments in this being like two, three Office programs that included Web Page Design and PowerPoint, all parts of our city. New York City commends NYCHA and hundred seniors and that would Sartell graduated and then went through a whirlwind of life changes. Harlem River Houses for seven decades of success in the historic be one of the largest choruses Through the TGC program, made possible by a collaboration Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, and for being an there is.” She encourages between NYCHA’s Department of Resident Employment Services invaluable source of affordable housing and community strength seniors to, “Come to auditions. (RES) and the City College of New York, Sartell entered the Job- for its residents.” The majority of seniors have Readiness Program and was hired as a Program Assistant. That was been singing before we were back in April of 2007. Since then, Sartell completed the GED course Tino Hernandez even born. They may be rusty at City College, and secured a second job teaching Basic Computer because they haven’t been Skills at the Johnson Houses Community Center and St. Nicholas consistent at it but once they Houses Senior Center, both in Manhattan. Sartell said, “Everything get back into the flow they are in my life is great! I am blessed with two daughters, work is good and amazing,” she said. I am planning on taking courses during the spring semester at City Rehearsals are held in every College. I have always been borough twice a week every interested in Architecture and week. “And that’s why they have City College specializes in that become as good as they are.” area so I plan on taking Rehearsals in the Bronx are courses in architectural held at the Morrisania Air Rights design.” Sartell said he feels Senior Center; in Brooklyn at good about himself and he the Marcus Garvey Senior knows that the decision to Center; in Queens at the enter the RES TGC program International Towers Senior was a good one. Wow! Sartell, Center; in Manhattan at Polo your life seems to have new Grounds Senior Center; and direction. I want to in Staten Island at the congratulate you on the jobs Cassidy/Lafayette Senior Center. you have secured over the 70th ANNIVERSARY NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl Andrews, Jr. Ms. Jones said she’s always past year. I wish you all the presents a proclamation from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to willing to put the work in and best in your future endeavors! Harlem River Houses Manager Patricia Humphreys (second from that any senior who wants to left) and Resident Association President Charlotte Perry (right) to be a part of Voices Across the commemorate the development’s 70th Anniversary last October. (Continued on page 11) THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 4 FEBRUARY 2008

THE NYCHA NOT WANTED LIST Chairman Hernandez Addresses In this issue we continue our editorial policy of publishing the names of individuals who have been permanently excluded from our public Young Adults In “Year Up” Program housing developments. This list is part of NYCHA’s effort to keep residents informed of the Housing Authority’s ongoing effort to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers in public housing and to allow for the peaceful and safe use of our facilities. Here follows a list of the people excluded after hearings were held on August 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2006. Please note: These exclusions are based on NYCHA’s Administrative Hearing Process and should not be confused with the Trespass Notice Program under Mayor Bloomberg’s Operation Safe Housing Initiative.

REMEMBER, IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ON HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTY, PLEASE CALL YOUR MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR NYCHA’S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT AT (212) 306-8595. ROLE MODEL NYCHA Chairman Tino Hernandez shared his personal experience with students in Prohibited as of August 2, 2006 the intensive, year-long Year Up training program in downtown Manhattan. Lorenzo Walters Case 5151/06 formerly associated with the eleventh floor of 195 Hoyt Street, Gowanus Houses, Brooklyn. By Eileen Elliott Wendell Bazemore Case 5099/06 formerly associated with the fourth RESPECT THE VALUES OF OTHERS. BUILD TRUST. BE HONEST. BE ACCOUNTABLE. WORK HARD AND HAVE FUN. STRIVE TO floor of 1248 Clay Avenue, Claremont Consolidated LEARN. These are the values on which the one-year intensive training program called “Year Up” is based. Houses, the Bronx. Established in Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 2000 by Harvard Business School graduate Gerald Chertavian, Eddy Rodriguez Case 5216/06 formerly associated with the third floor Year Up provides young adults ages 18 to 24 with a unique combination of technical and professional skills, of 225 Hoyt Street, Gowanus Houses, Brooklyn. college credits, an educational stipend, and corporate apprenticeships to enable them to move on to higher education and full-time employment. In addition to Boston and New York, Year Up also has sites in Cambridge, Prohibited as of August 9, 2006 Massachussetts, Providence, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. So far, 100% of qualified students have been Elvin Perez Case 4423/06 formerly associated with fifteenth placed in apprenticeships with companies like Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. floor of 865 Columbus Avenue, Douglass Houses, Manhattan. Thanks to a three-year contract Early Years with a master’s in social work. Marcelo Rodriguez Case 4343/06 formerly associated with the tenth with Year Up, funded through a The Chairman told his own He is a Certified Social Worker. floor of 2007 Surf Avenue, Carey Gardens, Brooklyn. Resident Opportunity for Self story of overcoming obstacles, After an already impressive career Lamar Green Case 4410/06 formerly associated with the ninth Sufficiency grant, 15 of the 61 such as growing up in some rough in City government, he was floor of 90 Avenue D, Riis Houses, Manhattan. students in the program’s current neighborhoods without a lot of appointed Chairman of the New Terrell Day Case 5190/06 formerly associated with the first floor class, which began in September, money. “We were poor but my York City Housing Authority of 1295 Amsterdam Avenue, Grant Houses, Manhattan. are New York City Housing parents were good at insulating us in 2001, and reappointed in Michael Clark Case 5146/06 formerly associated with fifth floor of Authority (NYCHA) residents. and providing for us,” the 2002 by Mayor Bloomberg. 61 Jersey Avenue, Richmond Terrace, Staten Island. Chairman said of his mother who “Never in my wildest dreams did I Patrick Wilkins Case 2539/06 formerly associated with the sixth floor Year Up was a seamstress and his father think I would become the of 84-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Hammel Houses, Students in the Year Up who was a laborer. As a youth he Chairman of the Housing Queens. program focus on Information lived for a time in NYCHA’s Jacob Authority,” he exclaimed, noting Andrew Butts Case 5257/06 formerly associated with the eighth floor of 1400 East New York Avenue, Marcus Garvey Technology or Investment Riis Houses, and in Brownsville, that his first job at NYCHA was Houses, Brooklyn. Operations and spend the first six Brooklyn. “It was a tumultuous as a seasonal worker. Rafael Whitehead Case 5254/06 formerly associated with the second months in classes on current time in the City,” he added, “full of floor of 1162 Washington Avenue, Claremont events, professional skills, IT, gangs, drugs and violence. Words of Advice Consolidated, the Bronx. grammar and business writing. “I grew up in an environment “Continue your education. Tyrone Chavis Case 5504/06 formerly associated with the fourth The rest of the year they complete where I felt hopeless. I saw many Education is one of those things floor of 101 Centre Mall, Red Hook East Houses, an internship, after which they are of my friends go to jail, die, go to no one can take away from you. Brooklyn. eligible to receive up to 16 college Vietnam. I didn’t think there Gravitate towards positive people. credits through Pace University would be any opportunities for Never shortchange yourself. Life Prohibited as of August 16, 2006 for the classes they took with people like me...people who is an adventure,” the Chairman Laquarn Johnson Case 5320/06 formerly associated with the third floor Year Up. Participants receive looked like me. In a lot of ways it said in closing. of 5905 Glenwood Road, Glenwood Houses, stipends of up to $150 a week would have been easier to use Brooklyn. during the coursework phase and drugs, join gangs.” If You’re Interested Noel Perez Case 5446/06 formerly associated with the fourth the paid internships can be as high In Year Up floor of 1930 Harrison Avenue, University Avenue as $250 a week. The Turning Point If you are between the ages Consolidated, the Bronx. But something positive of 18 and 24 and are interested Ricky Kyron Case 5429/06 formerly associated with the third floor of 395 Fountain Avenue, Cypress Hills Houses, Making Decisions happened. “There was a changing in the Year Up program, please Brooklyn. NYCHA Chairman Tino point in my life,” the Chairman call NYCHA’s Resident Edwin Feliz Case 5430/06 formerly associated with the second Hernandez addressed the students said, brought on by “people who Employment Services Hotline at: floor of 870 Columbus Avenue, Douglass Houses, at the Year Up offices in Lower looked at me and saw something (718) 250-5904. Manhattan. Manhattan last month, in an I didn’t see. People took an “It brings you out of your Sonia Vasquez Case 5517/06 formerly associated with the second inspirational talk emphasizing his interest in me and said, ‘You can comfort zone until after a while floor of 388 East 141st Street, Mott Haven Houses, own life experience, and the be somebody. You’re bright.’” being out of your comfort zone the Bronx. importance of education, of Those people included the Jewish feels natural,” said 21-year-old Jonathan Rosario Case 5570/06 formerly associated with the twelfth being prepared to take advantage dry cleaner and an older Jennifer Thompson of Howard floor of 350 East 143rd Street, Mott Haven Houses, of opportunities, of being neighborhood friend who was Houses in Brooklyn. “It changes the Bronx. open-minded about where those completely illiterate when young you on the inside as well.” opportunities may come from, and Tino met him but then went on to And how did the class respond Prohibited as of August 23, 2006 of standing up to peer pressure. obtain a PhD. to hearing Tino Hernandez’ story? Christopher Smith Case 8611/06 formerly associated with the thirteenth “You have to make a decision,” The interest generated seemed floor of 2949 8th Avenue, Polo Grounds Towers, the Chairman told the class of Success obvious by the questions the Manhattan. Year Up students. “Do you want to Tino Hernandez went on young people asked. As one Year James Wheelings Case 5552/06 formerly associated with the second be a victim of circumstance and to receive a bachelor’s degree Up student commented at the end floor of 291 East 143rd Street, Patterson Houses, blame everyone else around you or from Adelphi University, and of the hour, “I could relate.” the Bronx. do you want to become the master graduated from the State of your destiny?” University of New York at Albany THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2008 5 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 6 FEBRUARY 2008

Correction: In the November 2007 issue of the NYCHA Journal, Independence Tower Resident Association President Solomon Lieser was mistakenly identified as Taylor-Wythe Resident Association President Sheldon Klein, in the photograph on page 6, accompanying the “Succoth Celebration in Brooklyn,” story. Apologies to both Mr. Lieser and Mr. Klein. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2008 7 AFTER-SCHOOL Notice of HUD Inspections GET FREE SCIENCE PROGRAMS Dear Residents, TAX HELP The United States Department of Housing and Urban FOR 25 Development (HUD) will be conducting a physical inspection of Call 311 for the location of FREE COMMUNITY your development. The system that HUD developed for these inspections is called the Public Housing Assessment System tax assistance sites in your area. CENTERS (PHAS). As part of this process, a certain number of residents’ Call now and avoid the rush. apartments will be inspected. Also, don’t forget to file for the COMPREHENSIVEAFTER-SCHOOL SCIENCE PROGRAMS WILL BE If any of the items below are not in good order – contact the Earned Income Tax Credit... COMING TO 25 NEW YORK CITY Centralized Call Center at (718) 707-7771 to schedule an it could mean thousands! HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) appointment to have those items repaired. COMMUNITY CENTERS OVER THE NEXTFIVEYEARS, THANKS TO A You can assist us by reviewing GENEROUS $1.14 MILLIONGRANT the following items: FROM THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF). Electricity The Salvadori Center, which is — Your circuit breaker or fuse panel should not have any missing a non-profit educational organization breakers or fuses. (You should not see any of the wiring or parts that provides science instruction to inside the breaker or fuse panel.) children throughout New York — All light switches and outlets should operate properly and have City’s five boroughs, is a first-time cover plates over them. winner of a NSF grant. The Center — In apartments with Call-For-Aid units, switches and pull cords plans to use the money to establish should operate properly with pull cord hanging down. the BRIDGES (Build, Research, — Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlets should test properly when Invent, Design, Grow, and Explore pushing the test button. through Science) program at NYCHA Community Centers. Smoke Detectors/Carbon Monoxide Detectors BRIDGES uses hands-on — Detectors should be installed. There should not be empty brackets projects that are based on with missing detectors. real-world situations to help — Detectors should test properly (beep) when the test button is 8 to 12-year-old children pressed. who are enrolled in after-school programs run by NYCHA, to Stove/Oven improve their understanding of — Check each burner. Each burner should light individually by science, engineering, mathematics, turning the knob. The oven should work. design and technology. BRIDGES will begin with five sites serving Refrigerator 150 children in its first year. Five — The refrigerator door should close all the way. Door gaskets sites will be added annually until, should not be cracked or broken. Lights should work. by the fifth year, BRIDGES will serve 625 children at 25 Doors Community Centers. — Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Closets – Doors should close and “This is an exciting educational latch properly. Door knobs and latches should be in good opportunity for the children working order. Doors should be free of holes or damage. who utilize NYCHA’s Community Centers as well as for our staff,” Windows said NYCHA Deputy General — Windows should work properly, staying up when opened. Window Manager for Community Operations glass should not be cracked or broken. Hugh Spence. BRIDGES’ activities will be Faucets co-taught by a Salvadori educator and — Faucets and their parts should not leak when either on or off. a NYCHA Community Center You should have rubber stoppers for the sinks and tub. instructor. Salvadori Center staff will train NYCHA staff, and Exterminator then work closely with them — You should not have any type of infestation condition. throughout the year. BRIDGES’ projects will use the actual Thank you in advance for your continued cooperation. buildings and structures that are a part of young people’s daily lives as a way to make science understandable. As the program Relocation of Manhattan Social progresses, Salvadori educators Services Office will move to new NYCHA locations while NYCHA after- The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA’s) school instructors take over Manhattan Social Services Borough Office has relocated to the teaching with ongoing 45 Allen Street in Lower Manhattan. NYCHA residents who support/professional development live in Manhattan can visit the office to see a social worker, from the Center. or for information or referrals. “This new space makes it The After-School Corporation possible for the Manhattan Social Services Borough Office (TASC) will evaluate the to receive residents in more comfortable surroundings, and BRIDGES program through enables staff to work more cohesively among the different surveys, questionnaires, focus units,” said NYCHA Social Services Director Nora groups and interviews. Reissig-Lazzaro. Residents do not have to call before dropping by, but if they wish to, the number is (212)334-2506. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 8 FEBRUARY 2008

PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE ON NYCHA PROPERTY; INQUIRE AT DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT OFFICE.

New York City Police Department Toll-Free Terrorism Hotline Reports May Be Made To: 1-888-NYC-SAFE 1-888-692-7233 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2008 9 A Word About CALL 311 Our New NEW YORK CITY FOR ALL Look... HOUSING AUTHORITY Notice is hereby given that the New York City You may have noticed that Housing Authority’s Board Meetings take place NON-EMERGENCY beginning with the every other Wednesday at 10:00 AM (unless December 2007/January otherwise noted) in the Board Room on the 12th CITY SERVICES 2008 issue of the New York Floor of 250 Broadway, New York, New York. The City Housing Authority remaining meetings for Calendar Year 2008 are Journal, we began using as follows: standard newsprint for the paper rather than the 35 February 6, 2008 pound paper we’d been February 20, 2008 using for years. This will March 5, 2008 result in a savings of 3,680 March 19, 2008 pounds of paper per issue; April 2, 2008 for 11 issues, this is a total savings of 40,480 pounds of April 16, 2008 paper per year! April 30, 2008 One mature tree produces May 14, 2008 613 pounds of paper, and May 28, 2008 removes 48 pounds of June 11, 2008 carbon dioxide from the air June 25, 2008 per year. * So, the amount July 9, 2008 of paper saved for all 11 July 23, 2008 issues is equal to adding 66 August 6, 2008 trees to the environment, August 20, 2008 reducing the amount of September 3, 2008 carbon dioxide by 3,168 September 17, 2008 pounds per year! October 2, 2008 (Thursday) *These equivalences October 16, 2008 (Thursday) can be found on the October 29, 2008 Northwest Territories November 12, 2008 Forest Management November 26, 2008 Website. December 10, 2008 December 24, 2008

Any changes to the schedule above will be posted on NYCHA’s Website at nyc.gov/nycha and in the Annual Holiday Concert at John Jay College NYCHA Journal to the extent practicable at a reasonable time before the meeting.

These meetings are open to the public. Pre-registration of speakers is required. Those who wish to register must do so at least forty-five (45) minutes before the scheduled Board Meeting. Comments are limited to the items on the agenda. Speakers will be heard in the order of registration. Speaking time will be limited to three (3) minutes. The public comment period will conclude upon all speakers being heard or at the expiration of thirty (30) minutes allotted by law for public comment, whichever occurs first.

For Board Meeting dates and times, and/or additional information, please visit our Website at nyc.gov/nycha or contact us at (212) 306-6088. Copies of the agenda can be picked up at the Office of the Secretary at 250 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, New York, no earlier than 3PM on the Friday before the upcoming Wednesday Board Meeting.

The New York City Housing Authority spread some holiday cheer with its sixth Annual Holiday Any person requiring a reasonable accommodation in Concert at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan on order to participate in the Board Meeting, should December 13th. The concert showcased the talent of NYCHA’s Youth Chorus, led by Director Larry contact the Office of the Secretary at (212) Matthew; Senior Chorus, led by Director Carrie Jones, and Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Jack 306-6088 no later than five (5) business days before Jeffers, as well as solo performers. Combining traditional and contemporary holiday songs and the Board Meeting. music, selections included “Silent Night” and “Have A Merry Little Christmas” by the Senior Chorus and “Silver Bells” and the “The Little Drummer Boy” by the Youth Chorus. If you are interested in auditioning for the NYCHA Youth Chorus, see the flyer above. Senior Chorus Director Carrie Jones is the subject of this Journal’s “Faces Of NYCHA” profile on page 2. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 10 FEBRUARY 2008 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2008 11 Music Never Stops (Continued from page 3) File for the Earned Income City can do so. “It’s a choir Tax Credit (EITC)! but it’s still a program for the seniors.” Even home Do you make less than $40,000 a year? You might attendants are welcome! qualify for as much as $6,000 from the EITC, just by “I allow the home attendant filing your taxes. To make it easy, the New York City EITC to sing with them because that’s Coalition will prepare your taxes for free at locations a way for them to participate throughout the City. and want to bring the senior to the rehearsal. It’s working too. What is the Earned Income Tax Credit? Right now I only have one and she’s the home attendant to The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returns federal, state, the oldest senior in the choir. and in New York City, local government dollars to qualifying She’s 89 years old and the lady working families and individuals through either a credit on can sing.” taxes or as cash refunds. This income helps people cover “I have seniors who say ‘I basic expenses. never thought in a million years that I would be singing in a If you didn’t claim the EITC in the past, you can file your taxes concert with Vikki Winans or for three previous years which could triple your refund. So, if performing in City Hall.’ They you worked in 2004 and didn’t file taxes, you could file a return never thought in their younger now and claim this credit. If you were eligible for the years that they would be doing maximum refund each year, that could mean more than something like this but you know $15,000 for you and your family. Call 311 to learn where you I’ve been told that the latter is can file your taxes for FREE! greater than the first. It’s supposed to get better.” To see if you are eligible, just refer to the chart below. Call She may not have recorded 311 for the location of a New York City EITC Tax as many albums as, say, Patti Coalition preparer to prepare your taxes for free. And don’t LaBelle, but Ms. Jones has just forget to file by April 15th! as much talent, passion and determination and lucky for us, she’s willing to share that with Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum the NYCHA family. Tax Year New York Maximum Combined Federal New York Seniors who are interested 2007 State Income Credit Credit City Credit in joining the Senior Chorus — Credit Voices Across the City, Families can call NYCHA’s Community with more $34,783 (if Operations Department at 212- than one $6,367 $4,716 $1,415 $236 married 306-7042 or 917-526-0759. qualifying filing jointly) child

Families $33,241 with one ($35,241 if How NYCHA’s Social Services qualifying $3,852 $2,853 $856 $143 married Department Can Help You child filing jointly) Individuals $12,590 with no ($14,590 if NYCHA’s Social Services Department is here qualifying $577 $428 $128 $21 married to support and assist residents who are: children filing jointly)

• Having Financial Difficulties Investment Income is limited to $2,900 • Experiencing Mental Health Issues or Substance Abuse • In Need of Medical Care or Home Care Type Assistance • Elderly and/or Disabled • In Need of Programs or Services for Minor Children • Victims of Domestic Violence or Elder Abuse • Under Stress and Need Someone to Talk to

There are Social Services Field Offices Located in Every Borough.

If you need assistance call the office in the borough where you live.

STATEN ISLAND QUEENS BROOKLYN MANHATTAN 90 Lafayette Ave. 90-20 170th St. 381 Livonia Ave. 45 Allen St. SI, NY 10301 Jamaica, NY 11433 Bklyn, NY 11212 NY, NY 10002 (718) 816-1521 (718) 206-3286 (718) 498-3243 (212) 334-2506

BRONX 1200 Waters Pl. Bronx, NY 10461 (718) 409-8699